2024
Testing the Feasibility and Acceptability of Using an Artificial Intelligence Chatbot to Promote HIV Testing and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis in Malaysia: Mixed Methods Study.
Cheah M, Gan Y, Altice F, Wickersham J, Shrestha R, Salleh N, Ng K, Azwa I, Balakrishnan V, Kamarulzaman A, Ni Z. Testing the Feasibility and Acceptability of Using an Artificial Intelligence Chatbot to Promote HIV Testing and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis in Malaysia: Mixed Methods Study. JMIR Human Factors 2024, 11: e52055. PMID: 38277206, PMCID: PMC10858413, DOI: 10.2196/52055.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsUptake of HIV testingHIV testingPre-exposure prophylaxisUnified Theory of AcceptanceFrequency of HIV testingTheory of AcceptanceAI chatbotsPromote HIV testingMental health supportHIV risk assessmentHIV prevention effortsHIV-related informationMixed methods studyPresence of stigmaUse of TechnologyConsequences of HIVEffort expectancySexually transmitted infectionsWeb-based surveyEngaging MSMArtificial intelligenceTranscribed verbatimPrEP uptakeHealth supportMental health
2023
Pre-exposure prophylaxis service among men who have sex with men in Malaysia: findings from a discrete choice experiment
Dubov A, Altice F, Gutierrez J, Wickersham J, Azwa I, Kamarulzaman A, Gautam K, Shrestha R. Pre-exposure prophylaxis service among men who have sex with men in Malaysia: findings from a discrete choice experiment. Scientific Reports 2023, 13: 14200. PMID: 37648731, PMCID: PMC10468492, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41264-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsBayes TheoremHomosexuality, MaleHumansMalaysiaMalePre-Exposure ProphylaxisSexual and Gender MinoritiesConceptsInjectable PrEPPre-exposure prophylaxis servicesDaily oral PrEPPre-exposure prophylaxisMalaysian MSMPrEP deliveryOral PrEPPrEP uptakeMSMPrEPLatent class analysisDiscrete choice experimentMenDelivery preferencesDelivery programsSexGroupClass analysisType of programPreference groupsOnline surveyProphylaxisInitiation rateHIVDosingGlobal HIV control: is the glass half empty or half full?
Nachega J, Musoke P, Kilmarx P, Gandhi M, Grinsztejn B, Pozniak A, Rawat A, Wilson L, Mills E, Altice F, Mellors J, Quinn T. Global HIV control: is the glass half empty or half full? The Lancet HIV 2023, 10: e617-e622. PMID: 37506723, PMCID: PMC10733629, DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(23)00150-9.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAcquired Immunodeficiency SyndromeAfrica, NorthernHIV InfectionsHomosexuality, MaleHumansMaleSexual and Gender MinoritiesBarriers and Facilitators to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis by Men Who Have Sex with Men and Community Stakeholders in Malaysia
Rosen A, Wickersham J, Altice F, Khati A, Azwa I, Tee V, Jeri-Wahrhaftig A, Luces J, Ni Z, Kamarulzaman A, Saifi R, Shrestha R. Barriers and Facilitators to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis by Men Who Have Sex with Men and Community Stakeholders in Malaysia. International Journal Of Environmental Research And Public Health 2023, 20: 5669. PMID: 37174187, PMCID: PMC10177799, DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20095669.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnti-HIV AgentsHIV InfectionsHomosexuality, MaleHumansMalaysiaMalePre-Exposure ProphylaxisSexual and Gender MinoritiesConceptsPre-exposure prophylaxisPrEP providersNominal group techniqueMalaysian MSMEvidence-based HIV prevention strategiesPatient-centered decision aidAwareness of PrEPHIV prevention strategiesPotential new strategyPrEP deliveryPrEP carePrEP initiationPrEP servicesPrEP uptakeDecision aidPrevention strategiesUnderstanding of barriersComplex clinical protocolsClinical protocolsMSMQualitative focus groupsCommunity stakeholdersPrEPProphylaxisMenClinic-Integrated Smartphone App (JomPrEP) to Improve Uptake of HIV Testing and Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malaysia: Mixed Methods Evaluation of Usability and Acceptability
Shrestha R, Altice F, Khati A, Azwa I, Gautam K, Gupta S, Sullivan P, Ni Z, Kamarulzaman A, Phiphatkunarnon P, Wickersham J. Clinic-Integrated Smartphone App (JomPrEP) to Improve Uptake of HIV Testing and Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malaysia: Mixed Methods Evaluation of Usability and Acceptability. JMIR MHealth And UHealth 2023, 11: e44468. PMID: 36795465, PMCID: PMC9982718, DOI: 10.2196/44468.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultHIV InfectionsHIV TestingHomosexuality, MaleHumansMalaysiaMaleMobile ApplicationsPre-Exposure ProphylaxisSexual and Gender MinoritiesConceptsHIV prevention servicesINTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIERPrevention servicesMean ageHIV preventionPre-exposure prophylaxisHIV prevention outcomesHIV self-testing (HIVST) kitsParticipants' mean ageSelf-testing kitsHealth care settingsMobile health platformMalaysian MSMMixed-methods evaluationHIV testingCare settingsLocal clinicSystem Usability ScalePrevention outcomesDays of testingMSMSmartphone appPrEPHIVMean score
2022
Exploring Malaysian Physicians' Intention to Discriminate Against Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men Patients
Ni Z, Shrestha R, Earnshaw VA, Tee YC, Altice FL, Azwa I, Kamarulzaman A, Zhou X, Wickersham JA. Exploring Malaysian Physicians' Intention to Discriminate Against Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men Patients. LGBT Health 2022, 10: 169-175. PMID: 36251945, PMCID: PMC9986015, DOI: 10.1089/lgbt.2021.0452.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMobile Health Technology Use and the Acceptability of an mHealth Platform for HIV Prevention Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malaysia: Cross-sectional Respondent-Driven Sampling Survey
Shrestha R, Maviglia F, Altice FL, DiDomizio E, Khati A, Mistler C, Azwa I, Kamarulzaman A, Halim MAA, Wickersham JA. Mobile Health Technology Use and the Acceptability of an mHealth Platform for HIV Prevention Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malaysia: Cross-sectional Respondent-Driven Sampling Survey. Journal Of Medical Internet Research 2022, 24: e36917. PMID: 35877172, PMCID: PMC9361153, DOI: 10.2196/36917.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV prevention informationHIV preventionDrug usePrevention informationMalaysian menMHealth platformHIV risk-related behaviorsHIV prevention toolHIV prevention servicesSexual activityReceptive anal sexMobile health interventionsHIV prevention effortsUse of mHealthIllicit drug useSexualized drug useCross-sectional surveyAcceptability of mHealthHealth technology useSelf-administered questionnaireRespondent-driven samplingHealth-related informationSuboptimal engagementDearth of evidencePrevention servicesViral Suppression Levels in Men Who Have Sex With Men and Transgender Women With Newly Diagnosed HIV and Alcohol Use Disorder in Peru: Results From a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial Using Oral Naltrexone
Gonzales P, Bachireddy C, Grieco A, Ding R, de Leon S, Ulrich A, Lama J, Duerr AC, Altice FL. Viral Suppression Levels in Men Who Have Sex With Men and Transgender Women With Newly Diagnosed HIV and Alcohol Use Disorder in Peru: Results From a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial Using Oral Naltrexone. JAIDS Journal Of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 2022, 89: 462-471. PMID: 34897226, PMCID: PMC8881312, DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000002889.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAlcoholismFemaleHIV InfectionsHomosexuality, MaleHumansMaleNaltrexonePeruSexual and Gender MinoritiesTransgender PersonsConceptsMSM/transgender womenAlcohol use disorderOral naltrexoneTransgender womenViral suppressionUse disordersEFV/TDF/FTCTreatment of AUDMaximal viral suppressionSingle treatment regimenPlacebo-controlled trialTDF/FTCAntiretroviral therapy adherenceUse of naltrexoneEvidence-based treatmentsViral suppression levelsMVs levelsSecondary outcomesTherapy adherenceLow adherenceAdherence levelsNaltrexoneAUD treatmentHIVPlaceboPreferences for Long-Acting and Alternative Modalities for PrEP among Military Men Who Have Sex with Men: Segmentation Results of an Adaptive Choice-Based Conjoint Analysis Study
Gutierrez JI, Vlahov D, Dubov A, Altice FL. Preferences for Long-Acting and Alternative Modalities for PrEP among Military Men Who Have Sex with Men: Segmentation Results of an Adaptive Choice-Based Conjoint Analysis Study. Journal Of Urban Health 2022, 99: 277-292. PMID: 35318573, PMCID: PMC9033922, DOI: 10.1007/s11524-022-00615-9.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnti-HIV AgentsBayes TheoremHIV InfectionsHomosexuality, MaleHumansMaleMilitary PersonnelPre-Exposure ProphylaxisSexual and Gender Minorities
2021
Individual and poly-substance use and condomless sex among HIV-uninfected adults reporting heterosexual sex in a multi-site cohort
Fredericksen RJ, Whitney BM, Trejo E, Nance RM, Fitzsimmons E, Altice FL, Carrico AW, Cleland CM, Del Rio C, Duerr A, El-Sadr WM, Kahana S, Kuo I, Mayer K, Mehta S, Ouellet LJ, Quan VM, Rich J, Seal DW, Springer S, Taxman F, Wechsberg W, Crane HM, Delaney JAC. Individual and poly-substance use and condomless sex among HIV-uninfected adults reporting heterosexual sex in a multi-site cohort. BMC Public Health 2021, 21: 2002. PMID: 34736425, PMCID: PMC8567631, DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-12026-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLikelihood of CSRecent substance useHIV-negative partnersVaginal sexAnal sexSubstance useHIV-status unknown partnersMultivariable relative risk regressionExposure classificationType of sexHIV-negative adultsPooled effect estimatesPartner's HIV statusMulti-site cohortHigher likelihoodHeterosexual sexRelative risk regressionSingle substance usePoly-substance useHIV-negativeHIV statusRisk regressionPolysubstance useCannabis useSU exposureAssessing mobile technology use and mHealth acceptance among HIV-positive men who have sex with men and transgender women in Malaysia
Krishnan A, Weikum D, Cravero C, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL. Assessing mobile technology use and mHealth acceptance among HIV-positive men who have sex with men and transgender women in Malaysia. PLOS ONE 2021, 16: e0248705. PMID: 33755693, PMCID: PMC7987189, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248705.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsHIV InfectionsHomosexuality, MaleHumansMalaysiaMalePatient ComplianceTelemedicineTransgender PersonsConceptsSuboptimal ART adherenceTransgender womenAntiretroviral therapyART adherenceHIV-positive MSMHIV-positive populationInjection drug useHIV-positive menAcceptability of mHealthRisky sexual behaviorHIV preventionTreatment strategiesUnsafe sexDrug useMHealth acceptanceExcellent accessMHealth platformSexual behaviorMenMobile healthSocietal stigmaSexMSMMHealth researchWomenWillingness to initiate pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and its use among opioid-dependent individuals in drug treatment
Ni Z, Altice FL, Wickersham JA, Copenhaver MM, DiDomizio EE, Nelson LE, Shrestha R. Willingness to initiate pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and its use among opioid-dependent individuals in drug treatment. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2021, 219: 108477. PMID: 33422864, PMCID: PMC7946167, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108477.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid-dependent individualsPre-exposure prophylaxisPrEP useHIV riskHealthcare providersSex-related risk behaviorsMultivariable logistic regression analysisAwareness of PrEPUrban methadone clinicMultiple logistic regressionDisproportionate HIV burdenLogistic regression analysisCross-sectional surveyHIV burdenHIV infectionHIV testingIndependent correlatesMethadone clinicsDrug treatmentRisk behaviorsLogistic regressionPrEPPrevious useHigher likelihoodProphylaxis
2020
Using individual stated-preferences to optimize HIV self-testing service delivery among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Malaysia: results from a conjoint-based analysis
Shrestha R, Alias H, Wong LP, Altice FL, Lim SH. Using individual stated-preferences to optimize HIV self-testing service delivery among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Malaysia: results from a conjoint-based analysis. BMC Public Health 2020, 20: 1777. PMID: 33238941, PMCID: PMC7687720, DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-09832-w.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsClinic-based HIV testingHIV testing uptakeMethodsA cross-sectional online surveyCross-sectional online surveyNational AIDS ProgramAcceptability of HIVSTMalaysian MSMHIV testingTesting uptakeService delivery programsKey populationsHIVSTService delivery modelsAIDS ProgramMSMKit deliveryTelephone hotlineService delivery approachHigh acceptabilityDelivery programsMultiple barriersSafe useMean acceptabilityDelivery approachDelivery modelDevelopment and Psychometric Evaluation of the PrEP Sexual Expectancies (PSEXS) Scale
Dubov A, Ogunbajo A, Altice FL, Fraenkel L, Distelberg B. Development and Psychometric Evaluation of the PrEP Sexual Expectancies (PSEXS) Scale. AIDS And Behavior 2020, 25: 1192-1198. PMID: 33185775, PMCID: PMC7979444, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-020-03087-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchIntegrating HIV pre‐exposure prophylaxis and harm reduction among men who have sex with men and transgender women to address intersecting harms associated with stimulant use: a modelling study
Bórquez A, Rich K, Farrell M, Degenhardt L, McKetin R, Tran LT, Cepeda J, Silva‐Santisteban A, Konda K, Cáceres CF, Kelly S, Altice FL, Martin NK. Integrating HIV pre‐exposure prophylaxis and harm reduction among men who have sex with men and transgender women to address intersecting harms associated with stimulant use: a modelling study. Journal Of The International AIDS Society 2020, 23: e25495. PMID: 32562365, PMCID: PMC7305413, DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25495.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMSM/transgender womenHIV pre-exposure prophylaxisPre-exposure prophylaxisNew HIV infectionsHIV infectionTransgender womenStimulant useCVD mortalityCVD deathHealth harmsIntegrated substance useMore HIV infectionsHigh HIV incidenceCardiovascular disease mortalityRandom allocationUnprotected anal sexRisk of suicideHIV incidenceHIV transmissionDisease mortalityHIV riskGlobal systematic reviewAnal sexReduction interventionsSystematic reviewAwareness about and willingness to use long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (LAI-PrEP) among people who use drugs
Shrestha R, DiDomizio EE, Kim RS, Altice FL, Wickersham JA, Copenhaver MM. Awareness about and willingness to use long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (LAI-PrEP) among people who use drugs. Journal Of Substance Use And Addiction Treatment 2020, 117: 108058. PMID: 32811633, PMCID: PMC7438607, DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2020.108058.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPre-exposure prophylaxisInjectable pre-exposure prophylaxisLAI-PrEPOral pre-exposure prophylaxisLong-term side effectsSelf-reported HIV risk behaviorsBangkok Tenofovir StudyEvidence-based HIVHigh-risk PWUDImportant key populationHIV-negative peopleOpioid use disorderHIV risk behaviorsHIV prevention effortsAddiction treatment programsDaily PrEPOral PrEPAdherence challengesIndependent correlatesFemale sexClinical trialsHIV preventionIndependent factorsSide effectsUse disordersSafety of oral naltrexone in HIV-positive men who have sex with men and transgender women with alcohol use disorder and initiating antiretroviral therapy
Gonzales P, Grieco A, White E, Ding R, Ignacio RB, Pinto-Santini D, Lama JR, Altice FL, Duerr A. Safety of oral naltrexone in HIV-positive men who have sex with men and transgender women with alcohol use disorder and initiating antiretroviral therapy. PLOS ONE 2020, 15: e0228433. PMID: 32134956, PMCID: PMC7058313, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228433.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAlcohol use disorderAntiretroviral therapyClinical adverse eventsAdverse eventsTransgender womenUse disordersDouble-blind randomized placebo-controlled trialMSM/transgender womenRandomized placebo-controlled trialART-naïve participantsPossibility of hepatotoxicityPlacebo-controlled trialSerious adverse eventsHIV-positive menMedication-assisted therapyProportion of subjectsAdverse event dataMultiple new medicationsOral naltrexoneStudy medicationTransaminase elevationPlacebo armNTX treatmentTreatment armsNew medications
2019
Use of Smartphone to Seek Sexual Health Information Online Among Malaysian Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM): Implications for mHealth Intervention to Increase HIV Testing and Reduce HIV Risks
Shrestha R, Lim SH, Altice FL, Copenhaver M, Wickersham JA, Saifi R, Ab Halim MA, Naning H, Kamarulzaman A. Use of Smartphone to Seek Sexual Health Information Online Among Malaysian Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM): Implications for mHealth Intervention to Increase HIV Testing and Reduce HIV Risks. Journal Of Community Health 2019, 45: 10-19. PMID: 31375976, PMCID: PMC6957731, DOI: 10.1007/s10900-019-00713-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSexual health informationHIV testingHealth informationOnline sexual health informationSexual partnersRecent HIV testingHigh-risk MSMHIV/STIsHIV risk behaviorsHIV prevention activitiesCross-sectional online surveyHealth Information OnlineMalaysian MSMSTI preventionIndependent correlatesGeosocial networking appsHIV riskMHealth interventionsMHealth strategiesMHealth toolsRisk behaviorsOlder ageLogistic regressionMSMPrevention activitiesDual motivational model of pre-exposure prophylaxis use intention: model testing among men who have sex men in Ukraine
Ranjit YS, Dubov A, Polonsky M, Fraenkel L, Rich KM, Ogunbajo A, Altice FL. Dual motivational model of pre-exposure prophylaxis use intention: model testing among men who have sex men in Ukraine. AIDS Care 2019, 32: 261-266. PMID: 31288547, PMCID: PMC6937373, DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2019.1640845.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchEstimated Impact of Targeted Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis: Strategies for Men Who Have Sex with Men in the United States
Elion RA, Kabiri M, Mayer KH, Wohl DA, Cohen J, Beaubrun AC, Altice FL. Estimated Impact of Targeted Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis: Strategies for Men Who Have Sex with Men in the United States. International Journal Of Environmental Research And Public Health 2019, 16: 1592. PMID: 31067679, PMCID: PMC6539923, DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16091592.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsYoung Latino MSMYoung Black MSMPre-exposure prophylaxisBlack MSMLatino MSMPrEP useHIV Incidence Risk IndexHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmissionUse of PrEPNon-PrEP usersLowest NNTHIV infectionNNT valuesHIV prevalenceHIV epidemicHIV preventionMSM populationSubsequent infectionInfection reductionMSMPrevalenceIncidenceVirus transmissionPrEPProphylaxis